20 Lessons We Didn't Know We Learned From 'The Fairly Oddparents'

The Fairly Oddparents represents one of the few shows in Nickelodeon's lineup that existed when I was a kid. And that was quite a long time ago.

The original shorts that eventually sparked the full show premiered way back in 1998, and though the show has stopped and resumed production over the years, its basic formula hasn't really changed much. Even when they made a live-action movie for it.

Looking back, the show is as relevant as ever, so I thought it would only be fitting we revisit some of its greatest moments as a group. Specifically, I'm always amazed by how eerily dark and true some of its messaging was. And it wasn't even that subtle.

It taught us that...

#1 We aren't always the center of the universe.

I mean, he still loves the kid. Right? Yeah, he does! There's a whole episode that shows that.

Dad actually taught us some more lessons, like how...

#2 Experiences are better than purchases.

Dad also challenged some pretty established things we thought were true, like how...

#3 Words really do hurt.

But Dad wasn't the only character who told it like it was.

The Fairly Oddparents fully understood how kids think, way before we knew ourselves. Like with how...

#4 The Internet has a lot of the answers.

And how...

#5 Being able to see is way more important than looking cool.

And of course, the show nailed it when it came to...

#6 The true definition of depression.

And of course,

#7 The more impatient you are, the slower things take to happen.

Humility and patience do go a long way. In fact...

#8 Even your godparents know you better than you know yourself.

And don't forget...

#9 Your parents also know way more about girls.

Well, your mom at least. Still...

#10 Your parents just want what's best for you.

#11 But the same isn't always true when it comes to teachers.

In fact,

#12 School is pretty tough, even with a good group of friends by your side.

Especially when you realize...

#13 Some friends will always think they're better than you.

But when it comes down to it...

#14 School isn't really that big of a deal.

There's just a lot of things you have to put up with as a kid. Like how...

#15 Your parents will say things they don't really mean sometimes.

And they make plenty of mistakes. After all...

#16 Your parents don't know everything.

Which makes sense, since...

#17 Parents can be a bit irrational.

In fact...

#18 Parents won't always support your decisions.

You just have to remember...

#19 People are terrible in any environment.

People will still think they're better than others, even when everyone looks the same, as this episode pointed out beautifully.

And one of the best lessons of all?

#20 Loving someone physically doesn't mean you love them.

Timmy and Trixie, his longtime crush, were the last two people on Earth. So they dated, but Timmy soon learned there was little about Trixie he actually liked.

And finally, the most important lesson we all learned...

BONUS: You can't always get what you want. Even with fairy godparents.

But no, seriously, the main point of the show is that when Timmy tries to "wish" his problems away, he causes more of them. If he'd stopped trying to fix his life with wishes, the show would have ended because his fairy godparents wouldhave finally done their job.

Timmy himself even said this when he pointed out how Gilligan's Island could never have an episode where they make it off the island, because that would end the series. In the same way, The Fairly Oddparents will always be...well The Fairly Oddparents.

Did I miss anything? Let me know in the COMMENTS.

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